In keeping with the tradition set by The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, Bethesda Softworks game director Todd Howard has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim will let players assume the role of a vampire. As in previous Elder Scrolls games, players will “contract” the ability by being exposed to a fang-inducing disease spreading across the land of Skyrim. If left untreated, the disease will turn you into a member of the living dead. Or you can decide to treat the affliction to stay mortal. Just like in real life.

But don’t think is simply some kind of novelty skin that Bethesda is slapping onto a character model in order to merely cash in on the vampire craze of the past few years. The vampire transformation will completely change how you play the game. For instance, sunlight will actually harm you, but you’ll get a power boost, and eventually you’ll be able to harness your various vampiric tendencies, which may or may not mean a boost to your counting skill. (I'll wait a second for that one to register.) However, you will be able to feed on people as they sleep, which is a heck of a lot more fun than the blood pack health boost you got for siding with The Family in Fallout 3.

No word yet on whether you’ll be able to bite dragons and drink their blood, but you better believe we’ll be trying the first chance we get. Hope our teeth are sharp enough. Guess we’ll find out when Skyrim ships on November 11. In the meantime, please enjoy this concept art for what we think the vampire class might end up looking like: